Human mistakes may have caused the coal mine flooding that killed two and trapped 15 in north China, rescuers said Thursday.

The accident in Zuoyun County, north China's Shanxi Province, was caused by workers who were maintaining the mine, according to initial investigations.

Rescue work is in progress as about 200 rescuers try their best to save the trapped miners.

The accident took place at around 8:20 AM Wednesday when 22 miners were working at Fanjiasi coal mine in Dianwan Town of Zuoyun County. Only five people escaped, two were confirmed dead and 15 remain trapped.

The owner of the coal mine has been detained by local police.

(Xinhua News Agency December 30, 2005)